Lesson

6 Volcano Hazards

What I Need to Know (Learning Objectives)

After going through this module, you are expected to:

1. explain various volcano-related hazards;

2. recognize signs of an impending volcanic eruption; and
3. interpret different volcano hazard maps.

What I Know (Pretest)

Direction: Evaluate the truthfulness of each statement. Write T if the statement is

true and F if it is false.

_____1. Volcanic activities cannot possibly cause tsunami.

_____2. Earthquake hazard maps are important for determining volcano hazards.

_____3. During eruption, excessive ashfall is dangerous as it can cause poor or low
visibility.

_____4. In order to assess and forecast a volcano’s activity, volcanologists need

only to use one parameter.

_____5. Measuring the amount of gases being emitted by volcanoes is also an

important aspect of volcano monitoring.

_____6. High concentrations of CO2 which is colorless and odorless can be lethal to
people, animals and vegetation.

_____7. Lava flows are considered the most dangerous type of hazard from a
volcano and is always a big threat to human lives.

_____8. The development and use of remote sensing technology in monitoring

Volcanoes have greatly contributed to the safety of scientists.

_____9. Pyroclastic flows and surges are potentially highly destructive owing to their
mass, high temperature, high velocity and great mobility.

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_____10. In visual observation, it is not only the increase in volume of steam that is
observed but also the color of steam (drastic change from white to gray).

_____11. Permanent Danger Zone is a delineated and identified are where

permanent habitation is highly recommended due to its safety from volcano
hazards.

_____12. Aside from instrumental monitoring, people living near volcanoes on their
own, may observe premonitory events before an eruption such as
intensified steaming activity.

_____13. Lahars are rapidly flowing thick mixture of volcanic sediments (from the
pyroclastic materials) and water, usually triggered by intense rainfall during
typhoons, monsoons and thunderstorms.

_____14. As the volcano unrest progresses into an eruption, volcanic earthquakes

not only increase in number but the number of earthquakes felt by many
people become more and more frequent.

_____15. Ash from volcanoes are also abrasive, because of this, ash suspended in
air is also dangerous for airplanes as this can cause the engines to fail if the
suspended ash is encountered by the airplane.

Key to answers on page 12

What’s In (Review)

You have learned from the previous module that hazards associated with
earthquake – ground shaking, ground rupture, liquefaction, earthquake-induced
landslide, and tsunami – can harm persons and destroy structures. However, you
have also learned that these hazards can be prevented and handled by assessing if
your area is exposed to such hazards using earthquake hazards maps and by
knowing the signs of an incoming tsunami. Thereby minimizing further
consequences. You will do something similar in a while.

In this module, you will explore another geological hazard: volcano hazards.
You will study the hazards associated with volcanic activities and how you can
handle and prepare for them. Specifically, you will understand the principle behind
various volcano-related hazards, recognize signs of an impending volcanic eruption,
and interpret different volcano hazard maps.

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 What’s New (Activity)

Activity 6.1: Local Volcanoes and Historical Volcanic Eruptions

This activity will let you explore local volcanoes and revisit some of the
volcanic eruptions that have left significant impacts to some areas in the country.
Your answers will be useful in the succeeding activities.

1. Make a research about the following volcanoes: Bulusan, Kanlaon, Hibok-hibok,

Mayon, Pinatubo, and Taal.

2. Collect the following information: (a) location of the volcano, (b) history of
eruptions, (c) last recorded eruption, and (d) description of impacts of eruptions.

3. Organize your answers using the table provided below.

Most
Recorded
Volcano Location Recent Description of Impacts
Eruptions
Eruption
Bulusan
Kanlaon
Hibok-hibok
Mayon
Pinatubo
Taal

What Is It (Discussion)

6.1 VOLCANO HAZARDS

Volcanic Hazards are phenomena arising from volcanic activity that pose
potential threat to persons or property in a given area within a given period of time.
Below is a list of volcanic hazards common in Philippine active volcanoes.

6.1.1 Lava Flows

Lava flows are stream-like flows of glowing molten rock erupted from a crater
or fissure. When lava is degassed and/or very viscous, it tends to extrude extremely
slowly, forming lava domes. Lava flows move so slowly that it does not pose much
risk. However, it should not be disregarded. Major hazards of lava flows include
burying, crushing, covering, burning everything in their path.

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 The intense heat of lavas melts and burns. As lava flows are hot and
incandescent, areas it covers are burned (forest, built up areas, houses). Lavas can
bury homes and agricultural areas under meters of hardened rock. Areas affected by
lava flows once solidified are also rendered useless and will not be agriculturally
useful anymore for years due to the solid nature of the lava deposit. Lavas can also
block bridges and highways, affecting mobility and accessibility of people and
communities. Collapsing viscous lava domes can trigger dangerous pyroclastic
flows.

6.1.2 Ashfall

Ashfall or tephra fall are showers of airborne fine-grained to coarse-grained

volcanic particles that fallout from the plumes of a volcanic eruption; ashfall
distribution/ dispersal is dependent on prevailing wind direction.

Ashfalls can cause poor or low visibility which may affect driving and cause
slippery roads. If burial by ashfall is greater than 10 cm depth, it can render
agricultural lands useless. The suspensions of fine-grained particles in air and water
can cause clogged filters and vents of motors, human lungs, industrial machines,
and nuclear power plants. Ash suspended in air is also dangerous for aircrafts as the
abrasive ash can cause the engines to fail if the suspended ash is encountered by
the airplane. It also carries of harmful gases, acids, salts, and heat, which are
dangerous for humans, animals, plants, and properties. Burial by tephra can collapse
roofs of buildings, break power and communication lines and damage or kill
vegetation. Even thin falls of ash can damage such critical facilities as hospitals,
electric-generating plants, pumping stations, storm sewers and surface-drainage
systems and sewage treatment plants, and short circuit electric-transmission
facilities, telephone lines, radio and television transmitters.

6.1.3 Pyroclastic flows and surges

Pyroclastic flows and surges (Pyroclastic density current) are turbulent

mass of ejected fragmented volcanic materials (ash and rocks), mixed with hot
gases (200oC to 900oC) that flow downslope at very high speeds (>60kph). Surges
are the more dilute, more mobile derivatives or pyroclastic flows.

Pyroclastic flows and surges are potentially highly destructive owing to their
mass, high temperature, high velocity and great mobility. Pyroclastic flows can
destroy anything on its path by direct impact, burn sites with hot rocks debris, burn
forests, farmlands, destroy crops and buildings. Deadly effects include asphyxiation
(inhalation of hot ash and gases), burial, incineration (burns) and crushing from
impacts. The only effective method of risk mitigation is evacuation prior to such
eruptions from areas likely to be affected by pyroclastic density currents.

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6.1.4 Lahars

Lahars are rapidly flowing thick mixture of volcanic sediments (from the
pyroclastic materials) and water, usually triggered by intense rainfall during
typhoons, monsoons and thunderstorms. Lahar can occur immediately after an
eruption or can become long-term problem if there are voluminous pyroclastic
materials erupted.

Lahars can destroy by direct impact infrastructures and houses. It can block
tributary stream and form a lake. This can submerge villages within the valley of the
tributary that was blocked. There is also the danger of the lake breakout and if this
happens, this puts to danger the lives of people in communities downstream. It can
lead to increased deposition of sediments along affected rivers and result to long-
term flooding problems in the low-lying downstream communities.

6.1.5 Volcanic Gases

Volcanic gases and aerosols released into the atmosphere include water
vapor (H2O), hydrogen sulfide (H2S), sulfur dioxide (SO2), carbon monoxide (CO),
hydrogen chloride (HCl), and hydrogen fluoride (HF). SO2, CO2, and HF are some
volcanic gases that pose hazard to people, animals, agriculture and property. SO 2
can lead to acid rain. High concentrations of CO2 can be lethal to people, animals
and vegetation. Fluorine compounds can deform and kill animals that grazed on
vegetation covered with volcanic ash.

6.1.6 Volcanic landslide

Volcanic landslide or debris avalanche is a massive collapse of a volcano,

usually triggered by an earthquake or volcanic eruption. When a huge portion of the
side of a volcano collapses due to slope failure, this results to massive destruction to
vegetation and nearby structures. The huge volcanic debris avalanche typically
leaves an amphitheater-like feature and at the base of volcanoes with debris
avalanche event, a hummocky topography (small hills all over).

6.1.7 Ballistic projectiles

Ballistic projectiles are volcanic materials directly ejected from the volcano’s
vent with force and trajectory. These endanger life and property by the force of
impact of falling fragments, but this occurs only close to an eruption vent.
6.1.8 Tsunami

Tsunami is a series of sea waves generated by sudden displacement of

water (could be generated during undersea eruptions or debris avalanches). An
eruption that occurs near a body of water may generate tsunamis if the pyroclastic
materials enter the body of water and cause it to be disturbed and displaced, forming
huge waves.

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6.2 SIGNS OF VOLCANIC ERUPTIONS

From DOST-PHIVOLCS, the following are commonly observed signs that a

volcano is about to erupt. These precursors may vary from volcano to volcano.

1. Increase in the frequency of volcanic quakes with rumbling sounds;

occurrence of volcanic tremors.
2. Increased steaming activity; change in color of steam emission from white
to gray due to entrained ash.
3. Crater glow due to presence of magma at or near the crater.
4. Ground swells, ground tilt and ground fissuring due to magma intrusion.
5. Localized landslides, rockfalls and landslides from the summit area not
attributable to heavy rain.
6. Noticeable increase in the extent of drying up of vegetation around the
volcano's upper slopes.
7. Increase in the temperature of hot springs and crater lake near the volcano.
8. Noticeable variation in the chemical content of springs, crater lakes within
the vicinity of the volcano.
9. Drying up of springs/wells around the volcano.
10. Development of new thermal areas and/or reactivation of old ones;
appearance of solfataras.

These can be further categorized into parameters: (i) Ground deformation, (ii)
Geochemical changes, (iii) Seismic activity, (iv) Sensory observations, and (v)
Remote sensing.

Parameters Observation
Ground deformation • Some subtle ground movements (in millimeters)
may be detected by sensitive instruments and
equipment
Geochemistry • Changes in temperature (higher than usual)
• Changes in pH (more acidic)
• Changes in the concentration of gases (sudden
abrupt increase in levels)
Seismic activity/ • Increase in number of volcanic earthquakes
Volcanic earthquakes recorded
Sensory observations
a) visual • Intensified steaming activity
• Changes from slow white to gray steam
(suggests increasing presence of ash)
• Drying up of vegetation, streams, and water wells
• Crater glow at the summit area
• Increasing frequency of rolling rocks from the
summit; localized landslides not related to heavy
rains
b) auditory • Hearing rumbling sound
c) olfactory • Smelling sulfur (rotten eggs)

d) tactile • Ground movement/ volcanic earthquake

increasingly become felt

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6.3 VOLCANO HAZARD MAPS

You have learned that there are at least 8 volcano hazards that need to be
considered: lava flow, ashfall, pyroclastic flows and surges, lahar, volcanic landslide,
ballistic projectiles, and tsunami. For years, experts have been observing the
occurences of volcanic activities and their impacts in certain areas. From the
observation of the behavior of past volcanic eruptions present in the country and
onsite conditions, experts have produced accurate and detailed maps showing the
areas where a certain specific volcano hazards are likely to happen and the severity
of the expected impact such areas will experience. Such volcano hazard maps
illustrate the potential for ground-based volcanic impacts in areas near the volcano.
They are useful for the purposes of assessing safe and dangerous zones, and
planning for emergency mitigation and response. They are generated for various
uses and are most useful in determining risks of living in identified potentially
hazardous areas.

A hazard map has the basic parts: (i) Map Title – indicates what the map is all
about; (ii) Legend – indicates details and meaning of the symbols used; and (iii)
Scale – helps determine distances.

Volcano hazard maps are available in your community’s Disaster Risk

Reduction and Management Council. You can also access online the DOST-
PHIVOLCS site and DENR-MGB site for a copy.

What’s More (Enrichment Activities)

Activity 6.2: Classifying Volcanic Hazards

This activity will let you classify impacts of volcanic eruptions.

1. Refer to your answers in Activity 6.1. Classify the impacts listed in the Description
of Impacts column into their respective hazard categories. Use the table provided.

Volcano Description of Impacts Volcano Hazards present

Bulusan
Kanlaon
Hibok-hibok
Mayon
Pinatubo
Taal

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 Activity 6.3: Interpreting Mayon Volcano Pyroclastic Flow Hazard Map

This activity will let you interpret a volcano hazard map of a volcano and
assess the possible impacts. In this activity, you will focus on pyroclastic flows and
surges, which is one of the most dangerous hazards of a volcano, due to its mass,
high temperature, and high velocity.

1. Secure a copy of Mayon Volcano Pyroclastic Flow Hazard Map from the DOST-
PHIVOLCS website or from your teacher.

2. Examine the map. For each municipality, identify barangays that are within 6-
kilometer Permanent Danger Zone. Which barangays are within 6-7 km? 7-8 km?
You may use a string or a ruler. (Permanent Danger Zone is a delineated and an
identified are where no permanent habitation is recommended due to the possible
impact of various hazards at any time.)

3. Which municipalities have communities on the slope of Mayon? Write these on the
Table provided.

Municipalities Barangays within Barangays within Barangays within

6 KM 6-7 KM 7-8 KM

4. For each of the Barangay you listed in the Table above, select a temporary
evacuation area. Use the table provided below. Which areas will you suggest/
recommend for temporary evacuation? Why did you suggest this? (Note that in
selecting temporary evacuation areas, it is important to be sensitive to the needs of
the people living in affected communities. An evacuation area should be outside the
identified hazard zone, accessible, and convenient for the evacuees.)

Barangay to be Recommended Areas Distance of Evacuation

Evacuated for Evacuation Area from Barangay

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 What I Have Learned (Generalization)

Complete the following sentences with your learnings in this module.

• I have learned to determine various volcano-related hazards and their effects.

The volcanic hazards are _____________, _____________, _____________,
__________, __________, __________, __________, and __________. The
possible impacts include __________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________.

• I have learned to recognize signs of an impending volcanic eruption. For

Ground Deformation, ____________________________________________
__________________________________________________ are observed.
For Geochemical Changes, the observable signs are ___________________
_____________________________________________________________.
In terms of Seismic Activity, _______________________________________
_____________________________________________________ is notable.
For Sensory Observations, ________________________________________
can be seen, ________________________________________ can be smelt,
_________________________________________________ can be felt, and
_________________________________________________ can be heard.

• I have learned to interpret different volcano hazard maps. The basic parts
include __________, _________, and __________. The purposes of volcano
hazard maps are ________________________________________________
_________________________________________. I can access one from
_________________________________________.

What I Can Do (Application)

Activity 6.4: Interpreting Taal Volcano Base Surge Map

This activity will let you interpret a volcano hazard map of a volcano and
assess the possible impacts.

1. Secure a copy of Taal Volcano Base Surge Map from the DOST-PHIVOLCS
website or from your teacher.

2. Examine the map. For each municipality, identify barangays that are within 6-
kilometer Permanent Danger Zone. Which barangays are within 6-7 km? 7-8 km?
You may use a string or a ruler.

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3. Which municipalities have communities on the slope of Taal? Write these on the
Table provided.

Municipalities Barangays within Barangays within Barangays within

6 KM 6-7 KM 7-8 KM

4. For each of the Barangay you listed in the Table above, select a temporary
evacuation area. Use the table provided below. Which areas will you suggest/
recommend for temporary evacuation? Why did you suggest this? (Note that in
selecting temporary evacuation areas, it is important to be sensitive to the needs of
the people living in affected communities. An evacuation area should be outside the
identified hazard zone, accessible, and convenient for the evacuees.)

Barangay to be Recommended Areas Distance of Evacuation

Evacuated for Evacuation Area from Barangay

Activity 6.5: Recognizing the Signs from Archives

This activity will let you identify the observed and recorded warning signs of a
volcano from a news video clip or a newspaper.

1. Watch a news or read a news article about a volcanic eruption in the country.
Take note of the warning signs reported and observed by the residents interviewed,
then categorize these based on the type of parameter.

2. Write a brief narrative report about that incident. Include the date, type of
earthquake hazards, its impacts, and areas affected.

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 Assessment (Posttest)

Direction: Evaluate the truthfulness of each statement. Write T if the statement is

true and F if it is false.

_____1. During eruption, excessive ashfall is dangerous as it can cause poor or low
visibility.
_____2. High concentrations of CO2 which is colorless and odorless can be lethal to
people, animals and vegetation.
_____3. Lava flows are considered the most dangerous type of hazard from a
volcano and is always a big threat to human lives.
_____4. Pyroclastic flows and surges are potentially highly destructive owing to their
mass, high temperature, high velocity and great mobility.
_____5. Ash from volcanoes are also abrasive, because of this, ash suspended in
air is also dangerous for airplanes as this can cause the engines to fail if
the suspended ash is encountered by the airplane.
_____6. Lahars are rapidly flowing thick mixture of volcanic sediments (from the
pyroclastic materials) and water, usually triggered by intense rainfall during
typhoons, monsoons and thunderstorms.
_____7. In order to assess and forecast a volcano’s activity, volcanologists need
only to use one parameter.
_____8. Measuring the amount of gases being emitted by volcanoes is also an
important aspect of volcano monitoring.
_____9. The development and use of remote sensing technology in monitoring
volcanoes have greatly contributed to the safety of scientists.
_____10. In visual observation, it is not only the increase in volume of steam that is
observed but the color of steam (drastic change from white to dark gray).
_____11. Aside from instrumental monitoring, people living near volcanoes on their
own, may observe premonitory events before an eruption such as
intensified steaming activity.
_____12. As the volcano unrest progresses into an eruption, volcanic earthquakes
not only increase in number but the number of earthquakes felt by many
people become more and more frequent.
_____13. Permanent Danger Zone is a delineated and identified are where
permanent habitation is highly recommended due to its safety from volcano
hazards.
_____14. Earthquake hazard maps are important for determining volcano hazards.
_____15. Volcanic activities cannot possibly cause tsunami.

Key to answers on page 12

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 Additional Activities

Activity 6.6: My Volcano Hazards Poster Cards

This task will let you make poster cards that would serve as your information-
education campaign material later as you share your learnings in this lesson to your
family and community. You may refer to books or online references.

1. Make your own Earthquake Hazards poster cards that illustrate what the volcano
hazards are. You are expected to create 8 mini-poster cards, one per volcano
hazard. At the back of the poster card, write the definition and its effects using your
local language. Be sure that your poster cards are complete, accurate, creative, and
clear. Let the rubrics provided be your guide.

Accuracy --------------- 8pts

Content ----------------- 8pts
Clarity ------------------ 5pts
Creativity ------------- 5pts
TOTAL ---------------- 25pts

Answers to Questions

PRETEST
T 15) T 10) T 5)
T 14) T 9) F 4)
T 13) T 8) T 3)
T 12) F 7) F 2)
F 11) T 6) F 1)

POSTTEST
F 15) T 10) T 5)
F 14) T 9) T 4)
F 13) T 8) F 3)
T 12) F 7) T 2)
T 11) T 6) T 1)

- END OF MODULE -

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REFERENCES

Bagtasa, G., Dinanala, J. D., Morante, K. A., Villegas, M. M., and Zarco, M. A.
Disaster Readiness and Risk Reduction (Teaching Guide for Senior High
School). Quezon City: Commission on Higher Education, 2013.

Dianala, J. D., Aurelio, M., and Tan, C. Disaster Reduction and Risk Management –
Core Reader. Philippines: Department of Education-Bureau of Learning
Resources, 2017

Fisher, R. V. “Hazardous Volcanic Events.” 1997. Accessed May 22, 2020.

http://volcanology.geol.ucsb.edu/hazards.html

Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology. “Volcanic Hazards [Flyer].” 2008.

Accessed May 22, 2020. http://www.phivolcs.dost.gov.ph/index.php?option
=com_phocadownload&view=category&id=25:volcanoes-and-volcanic
hazards&Itemid=44

Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology. “Volcano Monitoring.” 2008.

Accessed May 22, 2020. http://www.phivolcs.dost.gov.ph/index.php?
option=com_content&view=article&id=50&Itemid=86

The Major Warning Signs. Accessed May 22, 2020. http://www.planetseed.com/

relatedarticle/major-warning-signs

U.S. Geological Survey. “Monitoring and Studying Volcanoes FAQs.” Accessed

May 22, 2020. http://www.usgs.gov/faq/categories/9818/3783

U. S. Geological Survey. “What are Volcano Hazards?, Fact sheet 002-97.” 2008.
Accessed May 22, 2020. http://pubs.usgs.gov/fs/fs002-97/

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